Evaluation of the antibacterial activities of the aqueous extract, alkaloids and flavonoids from Abrus precatorius Linn, (Fabaceae)

Ouattara Karamokoa, Tuo Karima

Abstract

Antibacterial activities of aqueous total extract, alkaloids and flavonoids of Abrus precatorius, the Ivorian herbal pharmacopoeia, were evaluated in vitro growth of Salmonella Typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae, germs that are involved in gastroenteritis in humans. The antibacterial tests were performed by the methods of diffusion in solid and broth dilution coupled with the spread on agar plates. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) obtained showed significant antimicrobial activities of different extracts of seeds tested. However, alkaloids and flavonoids were less active against bacteria compared to the total aqueous extract (ETA). The strong activity of ETA could be explained by the presence among other alkaloids and flavonoids with antibacterial properties have been proven in this study.